ATM skimming allows thieves to make off with your money

How it works: A small, portable card-reading device, similar to those used to make credit-and debit-card purchases in stores, is placed over the mouth of an automated teller machine to create a false front. This skimming device, which can be purchased on the Internet, reads and stores information encoded in the magnetic strip of debit cards. Sometimes, a miniature camera is mounted nearby to capture customers entering their PIN access codes. The skimmer and camera are retrieved by the crooks and duplicate cards are produced and sold on the black market.

Who is affected: Anyone who uses an ATM.

What to do: Although skimming devices can be hard to detect, be suspicious of often-used ATMs that suddenly have new equipment protruding from the card slot. To be safe, cover your hand whenever you punch in your PIN.

Whom to report it to: Notify your bank immediately. Many banks will reimburse victims of ATM skimming, but some require customers to report the money as missing within 60 days.